CDU/CSU

The CDU/CSU is a Christian democratic political alliance in Germany, consisting of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) parties. The alliance is the strongest center-right formation in the country, holding 310/630 Bundestag seats in early 2017. The alliance's constituent parties did not compete against each other in state elections, with the CDU competing in 15 states and the CSU competing solely in Bavaria. This alliance managed to weather a brief 1976 split, and it became a formidable force in the struggle to maintain centrist control over Germany, even as radical parties such as Die Linke grew in strength during the 21st century.